More than 50 young people from 12 counties competed in the Moore County Farm Credit Livestock Circuit Show in Carthage on Sept. 18.

The show was hosted by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and the Growing Farmers 4-H Livestock Club to give 4-H’ers an opportunity to compete in a beef cattle heifer show and a meat goat show. The objective is to help young people to gain life skills such as confidence, leadership and responsibility from raising their own livestock and exhibiting those animals to professionals in the industry, according to Elena Eller, Extension agriculture and livestock agent.

Eller says heifers and does (terms for young female cattle and goats) are judged on criteria that demonstrate their ability to produce valuable offspring for years to come. Market wethers, or male goats, are judged primarily on their muscularity, which determines potential to bring the best price at market.

Bruce Shankle, who works with the N.C. Department of Agriculture Livestock Marketing Division, judged the cattle and goats.

Mason Blinson of Harnett County and her Hereford heifer took home the title of Grand Champion Heifer. Madelyn Chappell of Richmond County showed the Grand Champion Doe and her younger sister, Taylor Chappell, showed the Grand Champion Market Wether.

Carolina Farm Credit provided ribbons and trophies.

Throughout August, September and October members of the Moore County Growing Farmers 4-H Club are traveling, sometimes several times a week, to counties across North Carolina to show off the animals they have raised and compete for the title of “best showman.”